Device for washing automobiles



Oct. 11, 1938.

B. COCKCROFT DEVICE FOR WASHING AUTOMOBILES Filed Sept. 15, 1937 BURGESS COCKCROFT Patented Oct. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE f 3 Claims.

This invention in general relates to automobile washing apparatus and is concerned more particularly with a hand-controlled, irrigated sponge-washer. The invention has for its primary object the provision of a nozzle and a fluid supply assembly in which the elements are so constructed and placed as to result in increased efiiciency of operation and manipulation through the use of a single hand control.

In the usual type of sponge-washer, the sponge is used either with a pail of water or in connection with a common hose. The disadvantages of the first are numerous in that the water is only clean when the spongeis first dipped into-it, and the water becomes increasingly contaminated with dirt and grit as it is used. Continual absorption of this grit into the sponge results in an abrasive action as the sponge is manipulated over the surface to be cleaned. The additional physical effort of supplying the water by an individual pail and the constant bending required in cleaning a sponge which absorbs the water for use is apparent over the second method.

In the latter method, the fluid supply hose is usually held in one hand and the spongein the other, making it difficult to clean certain parts, such as, for instance, the top of a car, as both hands are used at the same time. This method, like the first, wastes far more water than is actually used in the cleaning operation, with the result that the operators clothing absorbs much of the excess.

Neither method provides a clean film of water between the sponge and the surface to be cleaned. The elements are so combined as to be separate from the sponge, so that the size, type or kind of sponge used is immaterial.

Having in mind the disadvantages of the usual types of sponge-washers, this invention contemplates the construction of a sponge-washer wherein a minimum of water is used; the sponge is continuously and cleanly irrigated; abrasive action is minimized; manipulation is singlehanded, allowing a free hand forother needs, and

. the assembly is light, flexible, inexpensive, durable and fluid-resistant. It combines all the advantages of and eliminates all the objections to other types of hand-washing combinations.

The invention has for a further object the provision of a nozzle which can be heldin place easily and naturally within the hand that holds the sponge and direct the movements of the sponge and the water supply. i

Another object of the invention is to provide a flexible nozzle with portions extending from the nozzle, whereby the nozzle may be con nectively associated with the hand of the user.

It is also an object of the invention to combine a continuous flow of water through a sponge so that the sponge is free of any foreign substance '5 while in use.

It is a' further object of the invention to guide the flow of fluid in a direction that is normal to the hand of the user which holds the sponge and directs the movements thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to create a continual and even film of water between the sponge and the surface being cleaned.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connection with any piped'water supply under 1'51 pressure.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a nozzle usable alone or in conjunction with a sponge, without the necessity of connecting or disconnecting the nozzle and the sponge. 20

Another object of the invention is to proyide a nozzle separable from the sponge so as to make the size or type of sponge used immaterial.

A still further object of the inventionis to provide a combination of light, flexible and inex- 25 pensive units, easily assembled or disassembled, and not easily affected by fluids.

Other objects of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying draw- 30} ing, which illustrates the embodiments thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating a manner in which the nozzle of the present invention is secured to the users hand, and the cooperativerelationship of the nozzle with a sponge during the washing operation;

Figure 2 is a view showing the position of the nozzle in the palm of the users hand during use, and the manner in which a source of fluid supply 40 is connected to the nozzle; I

Figure 3 is a view in elevation of the nozzle showing the details of the means for securing it in operative position on the hand of the user; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, of the nozzle and the fluid supply connection' thereto.

As shown on the drawing:

In general, the present invention comprises a fluid nozzle, generally indicated at A, which embodies a novel construction permitting it to be disposed between the palm of a users hand B anda sponge C or any other member which the user'may wish to utilize in a washing operation, 3

such as in the washing of an automobile or other surface D, as shown in Figure 1.

With the fluid nozzle supported in the palm of the hand of a user which manipulates the sponge during the washing operation, it will be readily apparent that the user may, simply by the movements of his hand, guide the sponge over the surface to be cleaned and at the same time continuously supply clean fluid directly into the sponge. Thus the sponge will be continuously irrigated and a clean film of water provided at all times between the sponge and the surface being cleaned. Any sediment, dirt or other abrasive matter which might ordinarily tend to accumulate on the sponge will be carried away and prevent abrasive action taking place between the sponge and the surface being cleaned, thus eliminating scratching or other damage to the surface.

Moreover, the nozzle utilized in the present invention is merely held against the sponge, and since there is no positive connection between this nozzle and thesponge, the sponge may be readily removed and the stream of fluid issuing from the nozzle may be placeddirectly on the surface being cleaned in order to concentrate the fluid at some particular point, as, for example, where it may be desired to remove a considerable amount of mud or dirt whichmay be accumulated in a small area on the surface.

As more specifically shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the improved nozzle of the present invention comprises a substantially rectangular body portion-ID which may be constructed of any desired material, but is preferably made of some such material as rubber, which may be molded to shape. This body portion is of hollowed construction, an interior cavity ll being formed therein. This cavity is of elongate shape and communicates at one. end with a tubular opening I2 formed in the body portion 10. The tubular opening I2 forms an inlet to the interior of the nozzle, and one side of the body is left open, as shown'at '13, to form an outlet from the interior cavity.

With this construction, it will be apparent that the fluid entering the opening l2 will be received into the interior cavity of the nozzle and discharged in a direction substantially at right angles to thedirection in which it enters the cavity.

Fluid is supplied to the nozzle by means of a light, flexible hose [4, which may be of any desired length. One end of this hose is connected to the nozzle by means of a tubular nipple or connector I5 of suitable material, but is preferably constructed of a metal, such as brass, which may be nickel-plated, to form a non-corrosive fitting. This connector is preferably provided with a smoot'h outer surface, so that one end may be pushed into the hose and the other end into the inlet opening 12 of the nozzle.

The opposite end of the hose I4 is provided with a suitable connector I 6 which preferably'includes a tubular member I! which may be inserted in the associated end of the hose, and the usual internally threaded union by which the connector may be secured to an ordinary faucet or tap associated witha suitable fiuid supply.

Extending laterally from the nozzle body are wing portions l9 and 20 which are preferablyformed integral with the body. portion of the nozzle. These wings are preferably located adjacent the inlet end of the nozzle body and are respectively formed to define spaced apart rings 2| and 22 for receiving the fingers of the hand of the user. More specifically, these rings are so spaced as to enable the first and third fingers of the users hand to be inserted therein. It will be noted that the line connecting the central points of these rings would pass substantially along the top of the body of the nozzle, so that the upper portions of the rings are disposed above the nozzle body and define a depressed portion, as shown at 23, which lies between the rings for receiving the second finger of the hand when the first and third fingers thereof are placed in the rings. 7

With this arrangement, the nozzle may be supported in thepalm of the users hand, and at the same time. leave the fingers free for movement to grip the sponge or other cleaning member which it is desired to use in the washing operation. The position of the nozzle when supported in the users hand is clearly shown in Figure 2; From this figure, it will be noted that when the nozzle is supported in position of use, the outlet opening I3 is so disposed that the fluid issuing therefrom will be substantially at right angles to the plane of the palm of the users hand; and that; with the sponge gripped in the hand, this fluid will pass directly into the sponge so long as the sponge is gripped in the hand. However, by releasing the sponge, the stream of water may be guided to any particular spot or portion of the surface being cleaned. As shown, the supply hose l4 will pass along the palm of the handsubstantially parallel to the users forearm, and since the hose is of light, flexible construction, it will have little or no interference with the movementof the nozzle and sponge during the Washing operation.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel device for use in washing automobiles or other surfaces, and includes a nozzle of improved and novel construction which is so constructed as to continuously provide a supply of clean fluid to a cleaning member, which will irrigate this member and thus eliminate the accumulation of dirt or other abrasive material between the sponge and the surface being cleaned; which is of simple and light construction and may be'manufactured at small cost; and which enables the user to perform the washing operation with one hand, thus allowing freedom for other uses of the other hand.

, It is, of course, to be understood that although I have described in detail the preferred embodiment of my invention, the invention is not to be thus limited, but only insofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims:

I claim as my invention:

1. A deviceof the character described com,- prising a pair of inter-connected, spaced,'ring members, lying substantially in the same plane and adapted to'receive a users fingers therethrough, a nozzle supported from said members extending away from the plane of the members entering said body, wings extending laterally on either side of the body, said wings being ring shaped to each receive a users finger therethrough, ,wherebythe body may be supported in the palm of a users hand with the outlet and inlet thereof on the palm side of the hand.

3. As an article of manufacture, a fluid nozzle of one piece construction made of molded or otherwise formed non-metallic material such as rubber and the like, comprising a hollow body, and finger receiving ring members laterally extending on either side of said body, whereby the body may be supported in the palm of the users hand and leave the fingers free for gripping movements, said body having a forwardly disposed outlet and a rearwardly disposed inlet adapted for connection to a source of fluid 5 pp y.

. BURGESS COCKCROFT. 

